Belgrade native Jarrett Degen leads Iowa State wrestling to national championships

Former Belgrade Panther and four-time high school state wrestling champion, Jarrett Degen, has earned a spot in the NCAA wrestling championships for Iowa State as the number eight seed. “This year, next year, and the year after, I want to be a national champ,” said Degen. “I was talking to my dad and said, ‘I could be an All-American’ and he said, ‘You could be a national champ. Why sell yourself short?’ The support that I get makes me motivated and makes me set my goals even higher.” With the bar set and mats laid out in Pittsburgh, Degen says he’s ready. “I feel like I’m peaking at the right time again this year. Last year I peaked real well,” said Degen. “I feel like this year is the same. Just my wrestling is all coming together and I’m more ready than ever.” And though his first match is against number 25 Russell Rohlfing of CSU Bakerfield, the pair are 1-1 on the season. Degen says this time though, he knows what needs to be done. “Coming back from Christmas break I wasn’t as ready as I should have been. My feet were slow, my motions were slow, my technique was off. Just knew that I had to get get going,” said Degen. “For tomorrow I feel so good. My technique is good, my body feels good and I’m just ready for the kid again.” But as he prepares for the biggest stage in the country, he still remembers where he came from. “It’s not just Belgrade, it’s the whole state of Montana that’s helped me. I know I’ve practiced at many different clubs and programs and high school with different coaches and their kids,” said Degen. “I want to say thanks for all the support because I know I’ve been getting a ton of support from people in Montana.” The tournament will be broadcast on ESPN and ESPNU throughout the week.